Barat College began as an academy for young women in Chicago in 1858 and moved to its Lake Forest, Illinois location in 1904. In 1918, the State of Illinois chartered Barat as a four-year college, and in 1982, Barat became a co-educational institution.

In February 2004, DePaul University voted to discontinue operating Barat College and began to accept proposals for the future of the college, culminating in the proposal for a relationship with American College of Education. Through its wholly owned Illinois subsidiary, American College of Education has acquired assets that comprise a substantial portion of the educational business of Barat College, including the library materials and (subject to necessary consents) permits and other authorizations by or of governmental authorities, education agencies, or other third parties.